Starexcess (2019)

Developer: Super16bits
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Indie
Rating: 4.2 of 5, 6 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.3 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A retro-inspired vertical shooter with frenetic action and cooperative local play, demanding quick reflexes and strategic weapon switching.

fast-pacedintenseretrocooperativefreneticarcade-likechallenging

What players say

Players say it captures the feel of 16-bit shoot-'em-ups with three selectable ships and local co-op. But there is no tutorial, controls are unexplained, and the final boss can feel impossible to damage. Opinions split on difficulty: some find it a fair challenge, others find it punishing.

Screenshots

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More by Super16bits

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.